The membership form for Friends doesn't ask for the age of the person joining. So while the statistic cannot be proven, it seems likely that three-year-old Chase Barrett McDermott is the youngest Friend.

Chase's grandparents, Richard and Sandra Slawson, gave him a life membership as a gift at Christmas 1999. "Chase has just moved to Jacksonville, and he loves to read," said his grandmother.

As a life member of Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library, Chase will have a lifelong link to Jacksonville and its Library. Wherever he goes in the future, Chase can remember that in December 1999 his grandparents cared enough to make him a Friend for life. Thanks to the Slawsons for this great example!

Gordon Bennett has joined as a patron member.

Edna Dublin has joined as an individual member.

Peggy Lustig has joined as an individual member.

Mary Marsh has joined as an individual member.

There being no additional volunteers to serve on the board of directors, the current three directors will set Friends policy for the fiscal year ending December 2000.

By unanimous written consent, the following were elected as officers:

President: Frances Beall Whiteside
Secretary: Claudine Mellinger
Treasurer: Barbara Greig

Dona Ralston and Claudine Mellinger will co-chair the project. Volunteer members of the JHS National Honor Society, led by Sarah Ross, will assist.

During February, please go through your shelves and set aside sellable books and magazines to donate. Please do not bring items that are falling apart, waterlogged, shredded, smelly, or otherwise unsalable or unsanitary. Please do not bring any weekly newsmagazines.

If you can assist with pre-sale pricing, work while the sale is open, or help clear unsold items on the afternoon of Sunday, March 25, please contact the Library.

For more recent information on the sale, visit the library's web page at http://www.jacksonvillelibrary.com or the Friends' web page at http://friends.jacksonvillelibrary.com.